From Our Correspondent:Â
ISLAMABAD – The federal government has taken a key step towards accelerating the solarisation of 27,000 agricultural tube-wells in Balochistan, as the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Monday approved the release of Rs24.5 billion to ensure the project moves forward without delays.
Chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the ECC meeting reviewed the Power Division’s proposal on the solarisation initiative, originally approved by the prime minister on July 2, 2024. The project, valued at Rs55 billion, is being funded jointly by the federal and Balochistan governments in a 70:30 ratio.
Officials informed the committee that Rs14 billion had already been disbursed, and the newly approved funds would help expedite implementation. The ECC instructed the Power Division to closely monitor the project, particularly the disconnection of tube-wells from the national grid and removal of transformers and related equipment as each batch of feeders transitions to solar power. A progress report has been requested for July.
In another decision, the ECC approved an extension until June 2026 for sovereign guarantees backing a Rs50 billion running finance facility acquired by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) to manage LNG payments. The extension was granted in light of improved cash flow projections for the company.
